Debloat the Hitachi CDH-LE32SMART21

Android TV 11 · 19 apps on the list · tested on a real set

The Hitachi CDH-LE32SMART21 is built by TCL and ships with Google and TCL telemetry, TCL promo and message boxes, a TCL Channel web-video portal and a data-saver VPN. It also has TCL's memory manager, which runs in the background, and several preloaded apps, including Play Movies, a Chromecast receiver and a USB media player.

The list was applied in batches on one real unit, with a screenshot after each batch, and tested for one day only. Netflix and YouTube played, Settings and Wi-Fi worked, the remote's Home, Input and Back buttons worked, and the firmware updater still opened. TidyTV turns these apps off from a phone on the same Wi-Fi, after a backup. Nothing is uninstalled.

Download the free APK Star on GitHub

Apps TidyTV can turn off on the Hitachi CDH-LE32SMART21

Grouped as the tested list groups them. In the app each one has a switch, so you choose. Apps marked your call are extras the list leaves on.

Telemetry 3

Google Feedbackcom.google.android.feedback
Partner-app auto installer configandroid.autoinstalls.config.tcl.device
Partnersetupcom.google.android.partnersetup

Content, ads and promos 5

Google recommendationscom.google.android.tvrecommendations
TCL Channel web-video portalcom.tcl.waterfall.overseas
TCL messages/popupscom.tcl.messagebox
Store-demo stickercom.tcl.esticker
Tcl useragreementcom.tcl.useragreement

Background services 3

TGuard UI/cleanercom.tcl.guard
Data-saver VPNcom.google.android.apps.nbu.smartconnect.tv
TCL Bluetooth "listen alone"com.tcl.t_solo
Android TV home screen your calllauncher/build-and-install.sh disables the stock launcher itself, after Home has movedcom.google.android.tvlauncher

Off by choice on this unit: comment out what you use 8

Prime Videocom.amazon.amazonvideo.livingroom
Chromecast built-inChromecast receivercom.google.android.apps.mediashell
USB media playercom.tcl.ui_mediaCenter
Tcl videoplayercom.tcl.videoplayer
Tcl audioplayercom.tcl.audioplayer
Tcl imageplayercom.tcl.imageplayer
Google TV storePlay Moviescom.google.android.videos
Play Gamescom.google.android.play.games
Stan your callau.com.stan.and
YouTube Music your callcom.google.android.youtube.tvmusic
Rakuten TV your calltv.wuaki.apptv
TCL account your callcom.tcl.usercenter
TCL Alexa bridge your callcom.tcl.smartalexa
Tcl dashboard your callcom.tcl.dashboard

What always stays on

Live TV and the HDMI, AV and antenna inputs, so the Input menu still works
The remote: Bluetooth pairing, remote-key services and the mic manager
The firmware updater, so System update still shows in Settings
Picture and sound settings, the keyboard and the setup flow
Quick Panel and the TCL Channel key tile, which stay on although the new home screen hides them

Good to know on this model

TCL's memory manager keeps starting at boot even after its app is turned off. Turning it off only removes its screens and cleaner.
Storage on this TV is tight, so an app install can fail. On the test unit an install failed while the memory manager was running. Restart the TV and install right after, or remove apps you do not want.
Open Settings from the main menu. Going to the About page directly and then Software update can crash Settings.

How to do it

Turn on developer options On the TV, open Settings › System › About and select the build number 7 times. Then turn on USB debugging, and Network debugging if you see it.
Tap your TV in TidyTV Your phone finds the TV on the Wi-Fi. Tick "Always allow" and press Allow when the TV asks.
Review, then tidy TidyTV saves a backup, shows these apps with switches, and turns off the ones you pick, checking each one.

Questions

Will the voice button still work on my Hitachi CDH-LE32SMART21?

The list keeps TCL's mic manager on and does not turn off Google's voice app. The notes do not record a voice test on this TV, so try it after the change.

Does casting still work?

Not by default. The list turns off the Chromecast receiver, so switch it back on in TidyTV if you cast to this TV.

Can I get the old home screen back?

Yes. Restore everything turns the apps back on and puts the old home screen back, in one tap.

Source: the hitachi-cdh-le32smart21 list in cleanyourtv by Gathin (MIT), tested on this model. TidyTV re-checks every app against its own protected list before each change.